Identity Reflection Worksheet

Name: ______________________ Date: _____________

1. List Three to Five Aspects of Your Identity

Think about what makes you unique. Write one aspect per line (e.g., hobbies, family roles, culture, favorite activities).

1. ________________________________
   
   
   
2. ________________________________
   
   
   
3. ________________________________
   
   
   
4. ________________________________
   
   
   
5. ________________________________
   
   
   

2. Why Are These Aspects Important?

Choose at least three items from your list above. For each, explain briefly why it matters to you.

• 1. ________________________________________________________
  
  
  
  
  
  
• 2. ________________________________________________________
  
  
  
  
  
  
• 3. ________________________________________________________
  
  
  
  
  
  

(If you wrote more than three, feel free to continue on the back.)

3. Visual Representation

Select one aspect of your identity and draw a symbol, picture, or icon that represents it. Label your drawing below.

Label: ______________________________________________________

4. Reflection and Connection

In 2–3 sentences, describe how this aspect of your identity helps you connect with others or feel you belong.

5. Pair Share (Optional)

Turn to a partner and share one aspect and your drawing. Listen carefully to your partner’s perspective.

Partner’s Name: ______________________

What I learned about my partner:

Community Map Poster Template

Group Members: ____________________________

Instructions

1. In the center circle, draw or write you (an icon, your name, or a self-portrait).
   
   
   2. Around the center, draw at least five branches to represent different communities or groups you belong to (for example: Family, Friends, School, Neighborhood, Clubs, Sports, Culture).
2. At the end of each branch, create a smaller circle or box. In each one:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Write the community name (e.g., “Soccer Team”).
   • List or draw key people, activities, or places that connect you to that community.
3. Use lines or arrows to indicate connections between your communities (for example, how friends from school are also on your soccer team).
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Add color, symbols, or pictures to make your map visual and engaging. Be creative!

Reflection Questions (Write around your map)

• Which community feels most important to you? Why?
  
  
  
  
• How do these communities help you feel you belong?
  
  
  
  
• Did any surprising connections emerge between your groups?
  
  
  
  

Post your finished poster on the wall and be ready to explain one branch that shows why you feel you belong.

Belonging Quote Cards

Cut along the lines. Each card contains a short quote and its author. Distribute 2–3 per group.

"You are enough just as you are."
— Meghan Markle

"Belonging starts with self-acceptance."
— Brené Brown

"When you are real, you can’t be replaced."
— Fred Rogers

"The ache for home lives in all of us."
— Maya Angelou

"No one is you, and that is your superpower."
— Unknown

"Belonging isn’t about fitting in; it’s about finding your people."
— Unknown

"We are stronger when we belong together."
— Unknown

"There is no greater disability than the inability to see a person as more."
— Robert M. Hensel

Personal Reflection Journal Sheets

Name: ______________________ Date: _____________

1. Choose a Community Where You Belong

Think about one community (e.g., family, sports team, club, friend group) where you feel accepted and connected. Write the community name and describe how belonging there makes you feel.

Community Name: _______________________________________________

How belonging feels:

2. A Memorable Moment

Describe a specific moment when you truly felt you belonged (or did not belong) in this community. What happened? How did it make you feel? Why?

3. Impact on Your Identity

In 3–4 sentences, explain how being part of this community shapes who you are and influences your choices.

4. Your Contributions

List three qualities or strengths you bring to this community. For each, briefly explain how it helps the group and contributes to your sense of belonging.

1. Quality/Strength: ____________________
   Explanation: __________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Quality/Strength: ____________________
   Explanation: __________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Quality/Strength: ____________________
   Explanation: __________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. Creative Expression

Draw a symbol, write a short poem, or create a small illustration that captures your feelings of belonging in this community. Label or title your work below.

Title or Label: ________________________________________________

Use this journal sheet to reflect honestly and thoughtfully. Your responses help you understand your own sense of belonging and share your experiences with others when you’re ready.

Belonging Board Exit Ticket

Time: 3 minutes
Materials: Sticky notes, markers (optional), & a large chart paper or wall space titled Our Belonging Board

Steps

1. Distribute one sticky note to each student.
2. Prompt the class: “Write one word that describes where you feel you belong or what belonging means to you.”
3. Students write their word, then post it on the Our Belonging Board.
4. Invite 2–3 volunteers to explain why they chose their word.
5. Read aloud a handful of words to celebrate diversity and wrap up.

Quick Reflection

After posting, ask students to take a moment and look at the words on the board. Highlight how each unique word adds to our shared classroom community.

Thank you for sharing! Every voice helps build our sense of belonging.

Belonging Think-Pair-Share

Time: 5 minutes
Materials: Paper or sticky notes, pens or pencils

1. Think (2 minutes)

Reflect silently and write brief answers to these prompts:

a. Describe a moment when you felt you truly belonged to a group or community. What was happening?

b. What qualities, actions, or words made you feel included in that moment?

2. Pair (2 minutes)

Turn to a partner and take turns sharing your responses. As your partner speaks, listen carefully and note one thing that surprised you or resonated.

Partner’s Name: ______________________

One thing I learned:

3. Share (1 minute)

Invite 2–3 pairs to share one insight from their conversation. Ask:

• How can these ideas help us create a stronger classroom community?

Use these reflections to kickstart our “Where Do We Belong?” lesson and build connections with classmates.

Belonging Discussion Prompts

Purpose: To deepen understanding of what belonging means, share personal experiences, and brainstorm ways to foster inclusion in our classroom community.

Discussion Guidelines

• One speaker at a time; listen respectfully.
  
  
  
• Speak from your own experience; use "I" statements.
  
  
  
• Encourage and build on each other’s ideas.
  
  
  
• Everyone should contribute at least one thought.

1. Defining Belonging (5 minutes)

Prompt: What does belonging mean to you?

• Follow-Up: How is belonging different from simply fitting in?
• Connect: Refer back to a quote from the Belonging Quote Cards that reflects your definition.

2. Personal Experience (8 minutes)

Prompt: Think of a time you truly felt you belonged (or did not belong). Share:

• Where were you? Who was there?
• What happened that made you feel included or excluded?
• Follow-Up: Which part of your identity (from the Identity Reflection Worksheet) was most at play in that moment?

Possible Student Response Structure:

• “In _____, I felt/ didn’t feel I belonged when _____, and it made me feel _____ because _____.”

3. Community Connections (7 minutes)

Prompt: Looking at your group’s Community Map Poster, pick one community you mapped.

• How does that community help you feel you belong?
• What strengths or actions (from your journal’s “Your Contributions”) do you bring to that group?
• Follow-Up: Can you identify a surprising connection between two of your communities?

4. Building Belonging in Our Classroom (7 minutes)

Prompt: What can we do, as a class, to help everyone feel they belong?

• Brainstorm concrete actions (behaviors, language, classroom routines).
• Follow-Up: Which of these ideas can we start doing immediately?
• Connection: Think about how these actions align with Brené Brown’s quote: “Belonging starts with self-acceptance.”

Example Actions:

• Greet each person by name each morning.
• Create a “shout-out” board for peer recognition.
• Set up weekly check-ins where students share one positive thing.

5. Wrap-Up Reflection (3 minutes)

Prompt: Turn to a partner and share one new insight you gained from today’s discussion.

• How will this insight help you feel more connected or help others feel connected?

Exit Reflection: Be ready to post your one-word response on the Our Belonging Board using a sticky note (see Belonging Board Exit Ticket).

Thank you for your honest sharing and ideas. Let’s carry these actions forward to build a classroom where everyone belongs!